High blood pressure, or "pressure" as we call it, is a health problem that many people face today. Sometimes it can be difficult to control your blood pressure with just one medication. In such cases, your doctor may prescribe a combination of two or more medications. Olmesartan and Hydrochlorothiazide are one such combination of two medications. If you are also using this medication, it is very important to be fully informed about it.
What really happens with this medicine?
Simply put, this is a combination of two medications. Together, these two help control your blood pressure in two ways.
1. Olmesartan: This belongs to the class of drugs called ``Angiotensin II receptor blockers''. This works by relaxing your blood vessels. Imagine that when a water pipe is blocked, the pressure inside it is high, right? If you make that pipe a little bigger, the pressure decreases. Similarly, when the blood vessels become a little wider, the blood can flow through it more easily, and then the pressure also decreases.
2. Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ): This is a ``Diuretic'' type of medication, meaning it helps remove excess water and salt from the body. When the body retains excess water and salt, blood pressure can increase. So this medication helps lower blood pressure by flushing out the excess water and salt through urine.
So, by working together with both of these methods, high blood pressure can be controlled more effectively.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before starting this medication, it is very important to give your doctor a complete description of your health condition. Be sure to tell them if you have any of the following conditions:
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant: This is very important . This medicine can cause serious harm to an unborn baby, especially during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. So talk to your doctor about this.
- If you are a mother who is breastfeeding.
- If you have asthma.
- If you have diabetes: This medicine may cause changes in blood sugar levels.
- If you have kidney disease or decreased urine output: This medicine is eliminated from the body through the kidneys. Therefore, you should be careful if you have kidney problems.
- If you have liver disease.
- If you have immune system diseases (e.g. lupus).
- If you have an allergy to sulfa drugs: This is important because the drug hydrochlorothiazide is related to the sulfa class.
- If you are allergic to any other medicine, food, or dye.
- If you are following a special low salt diet.
The medicine should be used in the right way.
- Take it on time: Take this medicine at the same time every day , exactly as your doctor prescribed. Make this a habit.
- With or without food: This medicine can be taken before or after meals. However, if you experience stomach upset, it is best to take it with food.
- Don't stop: Don't stop taking your medication until your doctor tells you to. Even if your blood pressure feels normal, you should continue taking it.
- If given to children: This medicine may require special care if given to children. Consult your doctor for advice.
What to do if you take more medicine than you should?
If you think you have taken more pills than you think, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital. Do not take this lightly.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take double doses.
Other things that may interact with this medicine
It is important to tell your doctor if you are taking any other medications, vitamins, or herbal remedies while taking this medicine. Some medications may interact with this medicine.
| Type of medicine / substance | Things to watch out for |
|---|---|
| Other types of blood pressure medications and diuretics | Blood pressure can drop too low. Be especially careful with potassium-sparing diuretics. |
| Painkillers (NSAIDs - e.g. Ibuprofen, Diclofenac) | These can reduce the effectiveness of blood pressure medication and affect the kidneys. |
| Potassium supplements and salt substitutes | This medicine can increase the potassium level in the body. Therefore, ask your doctor about using these. |
| Diabetes medication | Because blood sugar levels can change, the doctor may have to change the dosage of the medication. |
| Lithium | Lithium levels in the body can become dangerously high. |
| Alcohol | May increase dizziness and drowsiness. |
Things you should be especially careful about when taking the medicine
- Check your blood pressure regularly: Check your blood pressure at home and write down the readings in a book. Take the book with you when you go to see your doctor. Ask your doctor what your normal blood pressure should be.
- Drink plenty of water: This medicine increases the amount of water that is lost from the body. Therefore , there is a high risk of dehydration . In cases such as severe diarrhea, vomiting, or excessive sweating, the body's water level can become dangerously low. Therefore, talk to your doctor about the amount of water you should drink per day.
- Dizziness and drowsiness: This medicine may make you feel dizzy or drowsy. Therefore, avoid doing dangerous activities such as driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not get up suddenly from a sitting position. Especially if you are elderly, get up slowly. This will reduce the risk of dizziness and falls.
- Be careful with sunlight: This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. So if you are going to be in the sun, wear clothing that covers your skin, and use sunscreen. Also talk to your doctor about your risk of skin cancer while taking this medicine.
- Cough and cold medicine: If you are taking cough, cold, or pain medicine from a pharmacy, ask your doctor about it, as some medications can increase your blood pressure.
Possible side effects
Like any medicine, this medicine can cause some side effects, although not everyone gets them.
| If you experience these symptoms, tell your doctor immediately. | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue. |
| Difficulty breathing | Difficulty breathing, chest tightness. |
| Severe dizziness or loss of consciousness | It can be a sign of a severe drop in blood pressure. |
| Fast or irregular heartbeat | Chest tightness, chest pain. |
| Severe diarrhea | Persistent diarrhea can cause dehydration. |
| Eye pain, vision changes | Blurred vision, eye pain. |
| Difficulty urinating or dark-colored urine | It may be a sign of kidney damage. |
| Yellowing of the skin or eyes (Jaundice) | It is a symptom of a liver problem. |
| If these things persist or become bothersome, tell your doctor. | |
| Headache | This may decrease as the body gets used to the medication. |
| Nausea | Feeling uneasy in the stomach. |
| Changes in sexual function | Decreased sexual desire or other difficulties. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you experience any other unusual symptoms, talk to your doctor about them.
Take-Home Message
- Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the right time, every day. Even if you feel better, do not stop taking the medicine without asking your doctor.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, and any medical conditions you are taking.
- Avoid dehydration. Be especially careful if you have diarrhea, vomiting, or excessive sweating.
- If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, tell your doctor before starting this medicine.
- If you experience any serious side effects such as severe dizziness, facial swelling, or difficulty breathing, seek medical advice immediately.
- Check your blood pressure regularly and attend your doctor's clinic on scheduled days.
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